Currency converter

ABSTRACT

A foreign currency converter consisting of an elongated body carrying a series of parallel longitudinal removable currency scale strips including a United States dollar scale strip, with the dollar currency values aligned with the corresponding foreign currency values. A slide with an index line is mounted transversely on the body for aligning the respective corresponding currency values. The scale strips have lugs providing a snap fit with apertures in the body. The original scale strips can be readily removed and replaced and corrected currency scale strips when there are changes in the currency exchange rates.

[451 Sept. 18,1973

l CURRENCY CONVERTER [76] Inventor: Frederick c. Marcks, 505 Old Mill Road, Easton, Pa. 18042 [22] Filed: June 27, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 266,634

[52] 11.8. C1. 235/89 R, 235/70 13, 35/31 D [51] Int. Cl G06c 3/00 [58] Field of Search 235/85, 89, 70 R, 235/70 A, 70 B, 88, 71 A; 35/31 D, 31 F [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,215,663 2/1917 Krueger 235/70 B 1,250,379 12/1917 Stillman 235/70 B 3,023,956 3/1962 Rondthaler 235/89 R 3,083,906 4/1963 Giuntini 235/89 R 3,685,727 8/1972 Brookes 235/70 R Primary Examiner--Stephen J. Tomsky Attorney-Hyman Berman et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A foreign currency converter consisting of an elongated body carrying a series of parallel longitudinal removable currency scale strips including a United States dollar scale strip, with the dollar currency values aligned with the corresponding foreign currency values. A slide with an index line is mounted transversely on the body for aligning the respective corresponding currency values. The scale strips have lugs providing a snap fit with apertures in the body. The original scale strips can be readily removed and replaced and corrected currency scale strips when there are changes in the currency exchange rates.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures CURRENCY CONVERTER This invention relates to money computing devices,

and more particularly to a device for quickly and easily determining the relative values of currencies of different contries: for example, for converting currencies of the currecny of one country into the equivalent dollar amounts, and vice versa.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved currency conversion device which is very simple in construction, which is easy to use, and which provides a quick computation of value relationships of the currency of foreign countries to the United States dollar, and vice versa.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved compact currency conversion device which provides accurate computations of equivalent currency values in terms of the currency of one country relative to that of another, thus enabling persons using same to make accurate computations instantaneously whereby to be assured of obtaining proper exchange rates when exchanging money, thereby eliminating the possibility of becoming the victim of fraudulent exchange practices and thereby further eliminating the possibility of making errors in exchanging currencies in foreign countries. v

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved foreign currency converter having quickly interchangeable currency scales so that the converter can be kept up-to-date in accordance with changes in currency exchange rates, whereby it is not necessary to discard the converter when the exhange rates fluctuate.

Further objects'and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved currency conversion device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of one of the scale strips employed in the currency conversion device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged end elevational view of the cur rency conversion device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-section view showing the components of the elements of FIG. 4 in separated positions.

Referring to the drawings, 11 generally designates an improved currency conversion device constructed in accordance with the present invention. The conversion device 11 comprises, in the typical embodiment herein disclosed, a substantially rectangular flat supporting body 12 which may be of any suitable material; for example, which may be of plastic material having a substantial degree of rigidity. Detachably mounted on the body 12 are a series of longitudinally extendingcurrency value scale strips 13 which extend substantially parallel to the opposite longitudinal edges of the body 12 and whose opposite end edges are substantially flush with the transverse end edges of said body 12. The adjacent longitudinal edges of the strips 13 are substantially in abutment with each other, as is clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Each of the strips 13 carries a numeri- 'cal scale of currency values for a specific country, and

the values are such that they represent the relative numerical values of the currencies of the different countries in accordance with the current rates of exchange. Thus, the upper strip 13 represents a scale dollar amounts and the remaining strips 13 carry the corresponding money values of various other countries, such as Great Britain, France, West Germany, Italy, Mexico, and Japan, the corresponding values being in transverse alignment along the body 12. For example, in the typical arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1, 1 dollar would represent 42 British pennies, 5 French francs, 3 West German deutschmarks, 625 Italian lira, l2 Mexican pesos, or 370 Japanese yen.

To provide rapid visual alignment of the corresponding currency values, a movable slide member 14 is provided, said slide member comprising a bar element of transparent plastic material integrally formed at its opposite ends with hook-like flanges 15,15 which engage around the opposite longitudinal edges of body 12, the bar member 14 and its book elements 15,15 being of sufficient width as to prevent rotation of the slide member on the body 12, whereby to maintain the slide member substantially in transverse overlying relationship to the scale strips 13. The transparent bar member comprising the main body portion of the slide 14 is embossed or inscribed with an index line 16 which provides an accurate visual indication of the corresponding currency values simultaneously on the different strips 13.

The scale strips 13 are formed so as to be quickly and easily attached to or detached from the body 12. Thus, the currency scale strips 13 comprise relatively narrow flat members made of plastic, or the like, each strip being provided integrally at its end portion with snap lugs 17,17 comprising projections formed with enlarged head portions, as is clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The body 12 is formed with corresponding lugreceiving apertures 18 shaped to provide a snap fit for the lugs 17,17, said apertures being formed with outwardly flaring circumferential flanges 19 defining sockets to lockingly receive the enlarged outer head portions of the snap lugs 17 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4. Thus, the strips are mounted by merely inserting the snap lugs 17 in the apertures 18 and pressing the ends of the strips simultaneously to lockingly interengage the snap lugs 17 in the cooperating snap openings 18. The normal size of the openings 18 is slightly smaller than the maximum diameters of the. enlarged head portions of lugs 17, but the material of the strips 13 and body 12 has sufficient resiliency to allow the lugs to be forced into the openings 18 in the manner above described, and subsequently to allow the strips to be detached from the body 12 when it is necessary to change them; for example, as a result of changes in currency exchange rates. Since the end edges of strips 13 are substantially flush with the end transverse edges of the body 12, the exposed ends of the strips can be readily pried away from the body 12 to release the strips and allow them to be changed as abovedescribed.

As will be readily apparent, the strips can be easily changed; for example, when traveling to various countries, and similarly, the strips can be changed when their scales are no longer current, whereby the currency conversion device can be kept up-to-date and can be modified to include currencies of the various different countries in which the traveler may find himself. As one travels to different countries, or as currencies devalue or revalue, it is merely necessary to obtain the necessary currency scale strips, or revised currency scale strips for those already present, and attach the currency strips to the body 12, thereby bringing the currency conversion computer up-to-da'te and making it available for use in the particular countries being visited by the traveler. Thus, the device never becomes obsolete, and need not be discarded, as often occurs in the case of printed currency conversion booklets or leaflets now in use.

As will be apparent, the plastic transparent slider 14 provides maximum convenience in making currency conversion computations, since it is merely necessary to line up the indicating line 16 with a particular currency value on one of the scales and read along line 16 to find the corresponding values of the currencies of the other countries represented on the device. Thus,

the dollar value of a particular foreign currency amount can be instantaneously found by the above de scribed procedure, or conversely, the foreign currency value corresponding to a selected dollar amount can be instantaneously obtained.

While a specific embodiment of an improved currency conversion device has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it will be understood that various modifications within the spirit of invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A currency conversion device comprising a substantially flat supporting body, a plurality of currency value scale members on said body adjacent each other, the scale members being provided with respective scales of money indicia, the scales representing the relative numerical values of the currencies of different countries, an index member having a reading element overlying and extending normal to said scales, and means supporting said index member for movement along said scales, whereby a conversion value for a numerical amount on one of said scales can be found visually on another of said scales by viewing along said reading element, and wherein said scale members comprise relatively narrow flat members, each provided with at least one locking projection, said supporting body being formed with apertures lockingly and detachably receiving said projections.

2. The currency conversion device of claim 1, and wherein said supporting body is of elongated shape and said scale members comprise respective strips arranged in parallel relationship on said supporting body.

3. The currency conversion device of claim 2, and wherein said index member comprises a bar element having end hook-like flanges slidably engaged on opposite edges of the supporting body.

4. The currency conversion device of claim 3, and wherein said inde element is of transparent material and said reading element comprises a line inscribed on said index element.

5. The currency conversion device of claim 2, and wherein the locking projections have enlarged outer head portions and said apertures are dimensioned so that said projections have a snap fit with said apertures.

6. The currency conversion device of claim 5, and wherein each strip has two projections and said two projections are located at the respective opposite ends of the strip.

7. The currency conversion device of claim 6, and wherein the adjacent longitudinal edges of the strips are substantially in abutment with each other.

8. The currency conversion device of claim 7, and wherein said flat supporting body is substantially rectangular and has transverse opposite end edges and parallel opposite longitudinal edges, the strips extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal edges and having their opposite end edges substantially flush with the transverse end edges of said supporting body, whereby the ends of the strips are exposed and can be at times pried away from the supporting body to disengage the strips from the supporting body.

9. The currency conversion device of claim 8, and wherein said supporting body is provided with outwardly flaring circumferential flanges around said apertures defining sockets to lockingly receive said outer head portions.

I i l 

1. A currency conversion device comprising a substantially flat supporting body, a plurality of currency value scale members on said body adjacent each other, the scale members being provided with respective scales of money indicia, the scales representing the relative numerical values of the currencies of different countries, an index member having a reading element overlying and extending normal to said scales, and means supporting said index member for movement along said scales, whereby a conversion value for a numerical amount on one of said scales can be found visually on another of said scales by viewing along said reading element, and wherein said scale members comprise relatively narrow flat members, each provided with at least one locking projection, said supporting body being formed with apertures lockingly and detachably receiving said projections.
 2. The currency conversion device of claim 1, and wherein said supporting body is of elongated shape and said scale members comprise respective strips arranged in parallel relationship on said supporting body.
 3. The currency conversion device of claim 2, and wherein said index member comprises a bar element having end hook-like flanges slidably engaged on opposite edges of the supporting body.
 4. The currency conversion device of claim 3, and wherein said inde element is of transparent material and said reading element comprises a line inscribed on said index element.
 5. The currency conversion device of claim 2, and wherein the locking projections have enlarged outer head portions and said apertures are dimensioned so that said projections have a snap fit with said apertures.
 6. The currency conversion device of claim 5, and wherein each strip has two projections and said two projections are located at the respective opposite ends of the strip.
 7. The currency conversion device of claim 6, and wherein the adjacent longitudinal edges of the strips are substantially in abutment with each other.
 8. The currency conversion device of claim 7, and wherein said flat supporting body is substantially rectangular and has transverse opposite end edgeS and parallel opposite longitudinal edges, the strips extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal edges and having their opposite end edges substantially flush with the transverse end edges of said supporting body, whereby the ends of the strips are exposed and can be at times pried away from the supporting body to disengage the strips from the supporting body.
 9. The currency conversion device of claim 8, and wherein said supporting body is provided with outwardly flaring circumferential flanges around said apertures defining sockets to lockingly receive said outer head portions. 